Article published November 27, 2009
No love lost in Rockets-Falcons rivalry
Teams play for pride,possibility of bowl bids
BGSU quarterback Tyler Sheehan runs past Toledo defenders Johnathan Lamb (52), Alex Johnson (40) and Archie Donald.
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THE BLADE
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By DONALD EMMONS
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
BOWLING GREEN - The prized trophy presented annually to the winner of the I-75 rivalry game between Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo is a peace pipe.
Yet, when it comes to the Rockets and Falcons making peace during the heat of battle, don't count on it.
BG quarterback Tyler Sheehan said the two Mid-American Conference neighbors simply don't like each other. There's definitely no love lost whenever the two meet.
"From our standpoint it's that way and I'm sure through the years for them it's the same way," he said.
BG, which has prevailed in the past two meetings, is playing host to UT this afternoon at 2 at Doyt Perry Stadium.
More than just pride is on the line in the 74th meeting between the Falcons (6-5, 5-2 MAC) and the Rockets (5-6, 3-4).The Falcons hope to end the regular season with a win, finish with an overall winning record, and to improve their chances
at receiving a bowl berth in
Dave Clawson's first season as coach. A victory for the Rockets would guarantee a .500 overall record while making them bowl eligible in the first season under former Falcons assistant Tim Beckman.
| Toledo at Bowling Green |
•Time: 2 p.m.
•Records: UT is 5-6, 3-4 MAC; BG is 6-5, 5-2
•Radio: 1370 AM, 1230 AM, 99.1 FM, 88.1 FM
•TV: BCSN (tape delay)
•Series: BG leads 38-31-4
•Favorite: BG by 8
•Notes: The Rockets average 30.2 points while the Falcons average 26.4 points. ... UT's defense averages 37.6 points allowed while BG's defense averages 26.4 allowed. ... Fred Biletnikoff finalist Freddie Barnes leads the nation in receptions with a BG record 129 receptions. ... Springfield graduate Eric Page leads the Rockets with 75 receptions. ... The Falcons are plus-1 in turnover margin while the Rockets are minus-6. |
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"We look ahead to this as the biggest game of the year," Clawson said. "So much is at stake. It's our rival and we're trying to get to seven wins, trying to secure a bowl bid.
"Again, it's everything that we want this game to be every year, that there's a lot on the line."
The Falcons enter the game with arguably the top passing tandem in the country with Sheehan throwing to senior wideout Freddie Barnes, who leads the nation in five receiving statistical categories. Barnes, a Fred Biletnikoff finalist, ranks No. 1 in receptions (129), receiving yards (1,482), touchdowns (14), receptions per game (11.7), and receiving yards per game (134.7).
He is also one of 20 seniors on the Falcons roster and admits there is a strong dislike for their MAC rivals located roughly a half-hour's drive north.
"You have to have that because it's been that in the past," Barnes said of the Falcons' feelings toward the Rockets. "I feel like the seniors and coach [John] Hunter have to explain that to the [new] coaching staff so they don't get surprised by it because it is there, whether people on the outside want to believe it or not."
This year's contest also presents a unique twist since a couple of former BG coaches now stand on the UT sidelines as members of the Rockets coaching staff. Besides Beckman, Mike Ward and Matt Campbell coached previously at BG.
Beckman served as BG's defensive coordinator from 1998 to 2004 while Ward spent 17 years coaching at BG and Campbell worked as a Falcons assistant coach for three years.
"It's going to be a little different seeing them in Toledo attire," Sheehan said. "They know what we see this rivalry as and how they see it. I just remember all the things they'd say about Toledo last year and now they're wearing those colors. I can only imagine the things they're saying about us."
Sheehan and Barnes have been key figures in the Falcons turning around a season that started out 1-4. They've been the catalyst in the turnaround, which includes riding a three-game win streak.
Sheehan ranks second in the nation in passing yards per game at 318.9. He has passed for more than 300 yards in eight games, including a school-record 505 yards in a 36-35 win at Kent State.
Meanwhile, Barnes has produced eight games in which he's caught at least 10 catches, including a 22-catch effort against Kent. He's also produced eight games with at least 100 yards receiving this fall.
Like the Falcons' previous 11 contests, Sheehan's and Barnes' existence on the field figure to be significant for BG against the Rockets.
"My emotions will be riding a little higher than usual just because I know this will be the last time that I'm going to be able to play on this field in this competitive nature," Sheehan said. "I'll have a lot of family here. My parents have been coming to every game here since I was a true freshman and I'm sure their emotions will be high as well.
"I just hope to leave this place with a good memory of beating Toledo in my final home game on senior day and I think that's how the rest of the senior class feels."
Barnes, the MAC's single-season receptions record-holder, needs 13 catches to tie the NCAA Division I single-season record. But he's more concerned about BG prevailing to keep its bowl hopes alive.
"It's added motivation because that's something we've worked for in the offseason," Barnes said. "We didn't expect a four-game losing streak that put us in the position we're in now, so it's like we still have some life to celebrate our season. We're full-speed ahead trying to lock in and focus on this next one so we can enjoy the team for another month or so."
Contact Donald Emmons at:
demmons@theblade.com
or 419-724-6302.
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